Debbie W. Wilson

Refreshing Faith

What Do You See when You Look at Yourself?

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My friends sat on the front porch steps of the little house my husband and I had just purchased. Instead of celebrating with us, their body language and words showed they thought we’d lost our minds. Obviously, they couldn’t see the potential we saw.

After my husband and I moved to Southern California I discovered I was pregnant. Our apartment complex didn’t allow children. As the pregnancy progressed, we began our search for a house with a yard for our budding family.

At the time, Orange County was the highest priced housing market in the nation. We’d left the Midwest where three times the house sold for a quarter of the price of these homes. So, we were thrilled when we found an 800 square foot, 60-year-old arts and crafts bungalow in a respectable neighborhood we could afford.

The house had previously been occupied by a pot-smoking motorcycle gang. The dark-paneled living room served as a garage for their bikes.Continue Reading

A Promise for Those Who Mourn

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I attended the funeral of one of the most robust, energetic, and alive people I’ve ever known. Death for Bruce is incomprehensible. And yet, he’s gone.

The next day as our small group read John 11, the boldness of Jesus’ words to Martha struck me. Martha and Mary had buried their brother just days earlier. They’d helplessly watched Lazarus’s life slip away. They’d bathed and prepared his dead body for burial. They were way more familiar with death than they wanted to be.

Put yourself in Martha’s place as you read Jesus’ words to her:Continue Reading

The Practical Benefits of Faith

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I woke up at 4 a.m. questioning a decision I’d made that afternoon. I’d told the designer, who’d drawn out a closet plan, we wanted to work with her. In my sleep I had second thoughts.

“Lord, I’m too tired to figure this out. I don’t know if we made the right decision.”

Immediately an Old Testament passage came to mind.

If a young woman makes a vow…and her father hears of the vow or pledge and does not object to it, then all her vows and pledges will stand. But if her father refuses to let her fulfill the vow or pledge on the day he hears of it, then all her vows and pledges will become invalid. The Lord will forgive her because her father would not let her fulfill them” (Numbers 30:3-5 NLT).

Relief filled me. I didn’t have to figure it out. Like a good father, my Abba would protect me.

“Father, you heard our vow. If we jumped too soon, please rescue us. I’m giving this to You and trusting you to lead.”Continue Reading

When I Feel Forgotten by Jesus

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My standard poodles’ big brown eyes melted my resolve. “Ok. You can go with me.”

Immediately Max’s fluffy tail thumped excitedly. His sister pranced with anticipation. And I smiled.

I hate to disappoint pooches and people. Especially, my poodles and my people. That’s why Jesus’ actions in John 11 astound me.

Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days” (Jn. 11:5-6 NIV).

Without divine intervention, Lazarus would die. Jesus had the power to heal. Lazarus’ sisters sent an urgent message to Jesus,

Lord, the one you love is sick”(Jn. 11:3 emphasis added).

Jesus was a personal friend. Surely, He would come to the rescue. He would not disappoint those He loved.

But Jesus didn’t come. He waited.

Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus—so—He waited??? That doesn’t compute.Continue Reading

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